Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

GRAMMY® Award-winning Singer/Songwriter Mark Lowry Finds “How We Love” to Be More Than a Song

Gospel Music Hall of Fame Member Releases All-New Recording

How We Love Combines Influences by Loretta Lynn,
Beth Nielsen Chapman and Pharrell

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–October 6th, 2015—GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter and comedian Mark Lowry has just recorded How We Love (Spring Hill Music Group), an all-new, 11-song collection scheduled to hit the streets on October 9th. Produced by Kevin Williams, the new release showcases this nationally acclaimed personality, known for bringing laughter to countless audiences worldwide; yet it also captures the baritone singer’s more contemplative side with honest, redeeming messages.

“I had some friends over to my house for a few days,” described Lowry. “We shared stories, laughed and sang songs around the piano. When Cynthia Clawson sat down at the piano and started singing ‘How We Love,’ written by Beth Nielsen Chapman, I knew immediately I wanted to record this song. I felt something special…I knew I was hearing truth…I call it ‘hearing from home.’ What good is love if you only love people who are like you? Love does its best work when you love someone you can’t stand. It’s like courage. It’s useless without fear. It’s standing through the fear that equals courage.”

Lowry lent an ear to other great songwriters as he selected more songs for the new collection, which includes a cover of “Happy,” a GRAMMY® Award-winning song written and originally performed by American singer and producer Pharrell Williams. Featured on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack album, “Happy” became a No. 1 song in over 20 countries.

Mark Trammell Qt NQC 2015

“I try to find songs with what I call ‘meat on the bones.’ It has to have a great lyric, and I love story songs,” Lowry recalled. “We were done selecting the material for this recording, and we had recorded all of the tracks. And then I got a song sent to me from Reba Rambo and Chip Davis called ‘Come As You Are’ that stopped me in my tracks.

“This song says ‘Come as you are. We mean it.’ We often sing ‘Just As I Am,’ but I’m not sure we really want everyone coming to Jesus. If we did surely we would have more diversity in our pews. I say let’s show more of our scars and less trophies. The cross is the only stumbling block we need. I knew the minute I heard the message of this song we had to add it to the project, and I couldn’t quit crying when I was recording it. So many people don’t feel welcomed or wanted, and there’s a big difference between ‘welcomed’ and ‘wanted.’ Everybody should be wanted. Let people get next to Jesus. He’ll fix what’s wrong with us.”

Lowry also added to the release the gospel classic “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”—a song made familiar to him by friend and country music legend Loretta Lynn. The song, which is the first radio single, features American bluegrass and country music group Dailey & Vincent.

“I always just grab friends to join me when I get ready to record,” explained Lowry. For How We Love that list also included Sisters (“I Thirst”), Jimmy and Sonya Isaacs Yeary (“Old People”) and The Martins, who joined him for the title cut as well as an all-new, four-part, a cappella rendition of the classic hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” arranged by Matthew Holt (Gaither Vocal Band).

“It has been my dream to sing with The Martins since 1992,” stated Lowry with a smile. “That’s when their mother gave Michael English and me a cassette of her children singing. Michael and I invited them to the Precious Memories Gaither HOMECOMING video recording. We asked Gloria [Gaither] to listen to them, and they sang for her a cappella. The next day Bill asked them to come in and sing for everyone, and the rest is history. We get to tour together, and NOW I get to sing a fourth part with them a cappella!”

This was a bucket list item for the Gospel Music Hall of Famer whose career has spanned from contemporary Christian music recordings and best-selling comedy videos to his platform as a member of the lauded Gaither Vocal Band for over 20 years. The co-writer (along with Buddy Greene) of “Mary, Did You Know?” his talents have placed him on the Gaither HOMECOMING Video Series and on world-renowned stages including Carnegie Hall and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Mark Lowry is featured weekly on the Gaither HOMECOMING shows on TV networks including PBS, Dish TV, RFD and TBN, among others; and the new release will be featured in Homecoming Magazine and on SiriusXM Radio’s enLighten channel.

How We Love is distributed through Capitol Christian Distribution and will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and www.gaither.com. For further information about Mark Lowry visit www.marklowry.com or www.facebook.com/markalanlowry or @MarkAlanLowry.

How We Love CD Song List:
Mary Was the First One to Carry the Gospel
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (with Dailey & Vincent)
Worry
I Thirst (with Sisters)
Live Loud
How We Love (with The Martins)
Old People (with Jimmy and Sonya Isaacs Yeary)
Happy
Rock in a Weary Land
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (with The Martins)
Come As You Are

RECENT GMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, MARK LOWRY RELEASES HOW WE LOVE

ABOUT MARK LOWRY
Mark Lowry is known and loved around the world as a trusted voice in the realm of gospel music and beyond. He started making music at age 11; and now, more than four decades later, his legacy is forever sealed as an innately entertaining communicator who can, at once, make audiences laugh, cry and reflect.

Mark is a singer, storyteller, humorist, author and songwriter, whose lyric to “Mary Did You Know?” resulted in one of the most loved modern Christmas songs of this century. This captivating song, which he co-wrote with Buddy Greene, has been recorded more than 400 times by artists from every genre including: Reba McEntire, CeeLo Green, Clay Aiken, Michael English, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, The Gaither Vocal Band and a long list of others.

Mark spent more than 20 collective years as the baritone singer for the GRAMMY®-award-winning Gaither Vocal Band and served as the sidesplitting comedic sidekick for Bill Gaither through live concert tours and the best-selling Gaither HOMECOMING Video Series and television airings.

A deep thinker and student of theology with an outrageous sense of humor (for which he often credits his diagnosis with Attention Deficit Disorder), Mark’s life work offers a long list of recordings and DVDs reflecting a wide range of influences, including Mark Lowry On Broadway (RIAA Certified Platinum), Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood (RIAA Certified Gold), Best of Mark Lowry & Bill Gaither, Volumes I and II (RIAA Certified Gold), Life Gets Loud and most recently Unforgettable Classics.

In spite of the broad range of musical inspiration found in Mark’s discography, there is one element that never changes–his gift for communicating profound truths through music and storytelling that keeps audiences of all ages on the edges of their seats. Mark maintains a full schedule of solo concerts with longtime friends such as Stan Whitmire and The Martins, as well as a few Gaither HOMECOMING tour dates across North America.

Fans ‘Count On’ an All-new Dynamic Release from The Hoppers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 22nd, 2012— One of Gospel music’s most awarded and acclaimed family groups The Hoppers have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled Count Me In (Spring Hill Music/Gaither Gospel Series®), scheduled to hit the streets on October 23rd.  Family members Kim, Dean, Connie, Claude and Michael Hopper joined hands with industry veteran producer Michael Sykes, along with co-production from Kim and Mike, to bring this collection of songs to life.

Jeff & Sheri Easter Record New Project

Grammy nominees Jeff & Sheri Easter return to the studio to work on a new CD.

The award-winning couple is working this week at Ocean Way studio in Nashville.
“We are so excited to be creating some new music,” Sheri said. “We are working with some of Nashville’s finest musicians.”
The couple is producing along with Greg Cole and for the first time their son Madison joins the production team.
Madison debuted as a co-producer for his sister Morgan Easter’s “Not Without Love” released last November.
Sheri said one of the coolest moments so far is recording a remake of one of her mother Polly’s tunes – Mahalia Jackson’s “Standing Here Wondering.” Polly performed with the legendary Hall of Fame members The Lewis Family of Lincolnton, Ga.
Jeff said he is adding several favorites of his to the new project including the old hymn “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore” he plans to perform with his dad, James Easter of the North Carolina’s Easter Brothers.
The song is special to the both of them because it was playing as Jeff’s mama passed away last August, Sheri said.
“I will also be cutting a brand new tune by songwriters Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsay,” Jeff said. “These guys and Sheri previously wrote our songs ‘Hear My Heart’ and ‘Born To Climb.’”  Jeff said he plans to feature a new tune by Joseph Habedank of The Perrys.
Morgan said she will bring new life to one of her parent’s previous successes – “I Wonder If He Ever Cries.” 
Sheri and Madison co-wrote a new tune for the project – “I Know How It Feels To Survive.” 
Sheri said this song is especially poignant since she will soon be celebrating four years cancer free in July since her battle with breast cancer.
The project is expected for release later this year.
The group has won two Grammy nominations, six GMA Dove Awards, 15 Singing News Fan Awards, three Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two International Country Gospel Music Association honors, 16 Voice Awards, four Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair Awards, five SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, four Hearts Aflame Awards and three Cash Box Awards.Among their best known hits are “Thread of Hope,” “Roses Will Bloom Again,” “Speak to the Mountain”  “Praise His Name,” and “Born to Climb.” They are regulars of the Gaither Homecoming video series and tours, sharing their music on over 15 million videos sold.Their latest CD “ Silver Anniversary” from SpringHill Records, available from iTunes and retail stores, honors their 25 years of marriage, music and love.
For more information, visit www.jeffandsherieaster.com.

Picture: Jeff & Sheri Easter pause with studio musicians working with them at Ocean Way studio in Nashville, Tenn. on Feb. 22. From left, Ricky Cobble, Duncan Mullins, Scott Williamson, Sheri, Mike Johnson, Greg Cole, Jeff, Brent Mason, Cody Kilby, Stuart Duncan, Michael Rojas, and Madison Easter.

Crabb Family’s New Recording Lands on the BILLBOARD Top 200, Contemporary Christian and Southern Gospel Charts

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—February 17th, 2012—Together Again (Gaither Music Group), the all-new studio recording from the multiple award-winning Crabb Family, hit shelves and online stores this week, taking the #1 position on the southern Gospel sales chart according to Nielsen SoundScan.  The ten-song release, produced by lead singer and GRAMMY® Award-winning solo artist Jason Crabb, landed the #6 position on the contemporary Christian sales chart in addition to landing at #123 on the BILLBOARD Top 200 list. “This is really an encouragement to us,” stated Jason.  “As a family, to be back in the studio and back on stage for a limited run has been a blast.  To see others embrace us and get excited about new music from us, well, that is an honor and it inspires us.  We are all doing what we do today because of the support of countless friends and fans over the years.  We are reminded yet again of their encouragement and love to us.  We appreciate them so much.”“We are pleased to see such a strong response to the new Crabb Family release,” stated Barry Jennings, president of Gaither Music Group.  “This family created something special years ago that clearly remains significant to their many fans who keep coming back for more.” An extensive tv and media campaign surrounding the new release began earlier this month on networks including GAC, GMC, RFD, FamilyNet, TBN, CTS, CTN, Vision TV, Grace, Legacy, FFE, Miracle and Airtime.    Together Again is available digitally and at retail stores everywhere.  It is distributed exclusively by EMI CMG Distribution.  For further information regarding The Crabb Family, visit www.thecrabbfamily.com. About The Crabb Family
Siblings Jason, Adam , Aaron, Kelly and Terah, known as The Crabb Family, took the Christian music industry by storm in the 90’s with their signature brand of country-tinged Gospel, live stage band and powerhouse musical arrangements.  The Crabb Family took home 11 GMA DOVE Awards, garnered three GRAMMY® nominations, and blurred the lines between Christian music genres with recordings and nominations ranging from bluegrass to black Gospel.Their family blends became a hit on platforms varying from the Gaither HOMECOMING stages and “The Grand Ole Opry” to the Brooklyn Tabernacle and  Carnegie Hall.  Their downhome appearances, highlighted by songs written by the group’s original founder Gerald Crabb, made them a household name in the southern Gospel music community and a “new favorite” across several genres.  Heralded by the industry and fans alike, the group produced numerous Top 10 hits and 16 number one hits.

Crabb Family’s New Recording Hits the Street and National Airwaves

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—February 8th, 2012—Together Again (Gaither Music Group), the all-new studio recording from the multiple award-winning Crabb Family, hit shelves and online stores everywhere this week. The ten-song release, produced by lead singer and GRAMMY® Award-winning solo artist Jason Crabb, offers fans the first new music from the popular siblings in several years.
An extensive tv and media campaign surrounding the new release began this past weekend on networks including GAC, GMC, RFD, FamilyNet, TBN, INSP, CTS, CTN, Grace, Legacy, FFE, Miracle and Airtime. Gaither.com is currently featuring an exclusive interview with the entire Crabb Family. Members of hearitfirst.com can log on, starting today, to get a FREE download from the new release.

Coinciding with a recent, limited run of national tour dates that the group has just completed, Together Again was recorded with a vocal approach that was musically different for the group, which traveled together for around 15 years, garnering national attention and recognitions.
Apparently, the new style is working as the release has already been described by one reviewer as the group’s best album to date–a big statement given the siblings’ history of hit songs and glowing reviews.
Together Again includes three songs written by the award-winning country writer Neil Thrasher (who co-wrote Jason’s solo hit “Somebody Like Me”) in addition to tunes written by such industry pacesetters as their father, Gerald Crabb; Sue C. Smith; Lee Black; David Moffitt; Gina Boe; Don Poythress; Ronnie Freeman; Stephanie Lewis and Caleb Collins. The recording also features two songs co-written by Jason alongside longtime friend Sonya Isaacs Yeary, country tunesmith Jimmy Yeary, as well as Carl Cartee and Barry Weeks.
“If There Ever Was a Time,” the first single from the new release, is currently playing at radio stations nationwide. The song, a pick hit at several southern Gospel charting stations, just hit the Top 10 New Release chart for February according to reporting stations for The Singing News Magazine.
Siblings Jason, Adam, Aaron, Kelly and Terah, known as The Crabb Family, took the Christian music industry by storm in the 90’s with their signature brand of country-tinged Gospel, live stage band and powerhouse musical arrangements. The Crabb Family took home 11 GMA DOVE Awards, garnered three GRAMMY® nominations, and blurred the lines between Christian music genres with recordings and nominations ranging from bluegrass to black Gospel.
Their family blends became a hit on platforms varying from the Gaither HOMECOMING stages and “The Grand Ole Opry” to the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Carnegie Hall. Their downhome appearances, highlighted by songs written by the group’s original founder Gerald Crabb, made them a household name in the southern Gospel music community and a “new favorite” across several genres. Heralded by the industry and fans alike, the group produced numerous Top 10 hits and 16 number one hits.
Together Again is now available digitally and at retail stores everywhere. It is distributed exclusively by EMI CMG Distribution. For further information regarding The Crabb Family, visit www.thecrabbfamily.com.

Gospel Music Legend RUSS TAFF Releases All-New Recording

Nashville, TENN.—August 23, 2011–Gospel music legend Russ Taff took a few steps off the beaten path—actually, more than a few steps–all the way to a remote corner of the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean–to record his all-new release, Faroe Islands (Spring Hill Music Group). The project, which hits the streets today, was produced, recorded and partially penned during a series of visits to this mystically beautiful group of ancient islands.
“I have performed in the Faroe Islands several times over the years,” Taff recalls, “and just fell in love with the country and the people. Some incredible musicians there formed a band to accompany me during my performances, and three of them also happened to be very celebrated producers. When I began to discuss recording a new album, they wanted to be a part of it. We decided to create most of it on site in the Faroe Islands, which was an entirely new recording experience for me. The whole project just developed and fell into place so naturally.”The result is a collection of songs, written by the album’s producers/engineers Jakup Zachariassen, Oli Poulsen and Kristoffer Morkore, as well as Russ and Tori Taff, Jesse Butterworth, Joy Williams, Regie Hamm, Gloria Gaither and Suzanne Jennings, among others.  The album includes a cover of the Bob Dylan tune “I Believe in You” as well as a cover of Larry Gatlin’s “Help Me,” in addition to the classic Swedish hymn “Day by Day.”“This album is very close to my heart,” Taff describes. “It reflects so many things that make up the sum total of who I am today. You know, I’ve been doing this for over thirty years now—performing, traveling, learning how to be a father and husband, experiencing in a greater way how endless and relentless the love of God is. There’s a richness in my life now that I didn’t have at 25, and it goes way beyond religion or music. It’s all about Jesus and mercy and grace…it’s about looking to Him continuously and knowing that His love will walk me through whatever ups and downs life can bring.”
Taff has certainly had many “ups” to celebrate.  In addition to his numerous honors, which include five Grammys® and nine GMA DOVE Awards, Taff has traveled the world alongside everyone from Andraé Crouch to The Gaither Vocal Band.  As a former lead vocalist for The Imperials, Taff’s unique, commercial sound hit the airwaves; and he quickly became a national fan favorite and critics’ pick.  Soon after, he began recording solo albums that would not only defy genre categories with an unprecedented Christian music mixture of soul, blues, pop, country and rock—but would, according to industry pundits, completely revolutionize the face of contemporary Christian music, giving it such gems as “Praise the Lord,” “I Still Believe,” “Not Gonna Bow,” “I Cry,” “I’m Not Alone” and the classic “We Will Stand.” Taff’s voice has been a mainstay and benchmark in the world of Christian music for years, and that voice is now back with an all-new recording reflecting a unique place in the life and heart of this lauded singer.  Taff travels nationally and internationally, singing and speaking in venues ranging from churches to conferences to festivals. He is also seen regularly alongside Bill Gaither on the HOMECOMING tours and videos.Faroe Islands is distributed exclusively through EMI CMG Distribution. For further information, please visit www.russtaff.com or contact Celeste Winstead at CWinstead@springhillmusic.com.

Something New Is Happening with the Hoppers

NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 23, 2010) – THE HOPPERS, one of Gospel music’s most acclaimed and awarded family recording artists, have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled SOMETHING’S HAPPENING (Spring Hill Music), which will hit the streets August 24th. The new release, produced and arranged by legendary composer and producer Lari Goss, has been in the works for nearly two years.
“When you are in the studio, you’re always trying to make sure you are getting it right,” describes soprano Kim Hopper. “Singing before an audience is entirely different. When on stage, you want to paint pictures for the audience as you sing. This recording process gave us a chance to go in and re-do what we had recorded based on what we found worked live. We changed the flow of lines and were able to capture on the recording something closer to what we do in concert.”
The group has captured some unique moments on the new release, which includes songs penned by Bill Gaither, Rusty Golden, Dianne Wilkinson, Joel Lindsey, Tony Wood, Kyla Rowland, Nancy Harmon, Larry Hinson and Gerald Crabb among others. One of those stand-out moments is Connie’s collaboration with Goss on the title cut.
“We had listened to the song ‘Something’s Happening,’” adds Connie. “Kim liked it. Lari loved it but said that it needed something between the verses—something describing what’s going on. He said, ‘Connie, why don’t you go write that?’ This is what we came up with.”
“Lari is a well that never runs dry,” describes Dean. “He pieces the story together regardless of the style of song and has such knowledge. He is constantly thinking from the top to the bottom of the process…seeing the song from beginning to end. It’s like God’s given him a three-dimensional view into a song with the heart that he has in each stroke of the pen while writing arrangements.”
One of the unique vocal arrangements on the release is “Living in the Arms of Mercy,” which finds drummer Mike Hopper behind the microphone, taking the high part alongside Dean and Kim for an unexpected blend from this family. “Nobody’s Too Bad or Too Good” features a solo from Dean and Kim’s daughter Karlye. Group patriarch Claude Hopper is featured on a re-make of the classic “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” The group also joins artists Greater Vision, The Booth Brothers and Legacy Five for the song “Statement of Faith,” a song recorded collaboratively and released by each of the groups on their individual recordings in addition to being released into the choral market through LifeWay.
The release of Something’s Happening falls on the heels of the successful launch of THE GAITHER GOSPEL SERIES: THE BEST OF THE HOPPERS (Gaither Music Group). The DVD soared to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the Billboard Heatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.
The Hoppers maintain a heavy touring schedule, performing on the Gaither Homecoming stage, at the National Quartet Convention (over 60,000 attendees), the Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival (8-9,000 attendees), at the Cove and at Singing in the Sun in addition to around 150 dates annually.
SOMETHING’S HAPPENING, available through EMI CMG Distribution, will be available at online outlets, including iTunes and Amazon.com among others, and also in retail stores where Christian music is sold. For further information regarding The Hoppers, visit www.thehoppers.com.